Hoover council seeks replacements for two longtime Library Board members

The Hoover City Council is looking for two people to serve on the board of directors for the Hoover Public Library in conjunction with the departure of two longtime board members.

Eloise Martens, who was on the original library board appointed in 1982, is stepping down after 36 years of service, and Sara Rast, appointed in February 2005, is leaving with 13 years of service to the library, said Hoover Councilman Casey Middlebrooks, who is the council’s liaison to the library. Both of their current four-year terms end Dec. 1.

“They both have been fierce supporters of the library,” said Middlebrooks, who formerly worked at the library before taking a librarian job with Hoover City Schools. “We’ll definitely miss their experience and tenure on the board.”

Both of them decided it is time to pass the torch to other residents, Middlebrooks said.

Martens is scheduled to be honored by the Jefferson County Library Cooperative as a “library champion” at the cooperative’s holiday luncheon on Dec. 4.

"She's just wonderful," said Pat Ryan, the director of the cooperative who also formerly worked at the Hoover Public Library for more than a decade. "She's been such an asset for the library."

Hoover residents who wish to apply for a library board seat can do so by submitting a letter of interest and resume to the Hoover city clerk’s office at the Hoover Municipal Center by 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. Middlebrooks said he expects the council to fill the seats at its Nov. 19 meeting.

The Hoover Library Board has five members, each serving a four-year term. Other current members include Ruth Cole, Colleen Eikmeier and Hal Humphrey.

The ideal candidate is an active library user, passionate about the library’s mission and committed to a customer-driven philosophy, according to a job description provided by the city.

Duties include: attending meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. (unless rescheduled by a majority vote); establishing library policy and bylaws; overseeing the library’s budget and financial expenditures; selecting, supervising and reviewing the library director; and attending library and city functions as necessary.